Role Of Family Lawyers in Domestic Violence Cases

Domestic violence is the term that has received a lot of public attention in recent years. It refers to the physical or mental abuse by a person within the domestic circle of the victim. When a domestic violence act occurs, the first step remains to ensure the victim’s safety. If the victim has children, they also need protection from danger. Seeking legal assistance can help the victim prevent any further abuse. With suggestions and assistance from a family lawyer, you can file a complaint with the police. Since domestic violence cases have complexities, a person with legal knowledge and experience can guide you through the process. Such legal experts can help you overcome the problem. Expert legal guidance can make a positive transformation in your life.

Types Of Domestic Violence

Before learning how legal experts can assist, one must understand domestic violence. Domestic violence may include verbal attacks, physical altercations, mental attacks, and emotional abuse. In many cases, the abuse starts as a verbal attack. It escalates to physical abuse. In extreme cases, physical abuse results in the murder of the victim. Many people fail to report the abuse due to the mental stigma attached.

A study suggests that women remain the primary victims of domestic violence. They may suffer from violent abuse from their partners. But, men can also become victims of domestic violence in opposite-sex or same-sex relationships. To break free from a violent or abusive relationship, you must recognize the severity of the situation. The various forms of domestic violence may include:

The partner uses threats to harm themselves/your loved ones to make the victim do things.
Economic abuse occurs when the abuser prevents the victim from earning or accessing the money they earn.
Sexual abuse also includes making the victim perform sex acts without their consent making them feel like a sex object.
Emotional abuse of the victim by degrading or humiliating them. It also includes accusing the victim of craziness. Emotional abuse can lead to having low self-esteem in the victim.
Abusers isolate the victim from their family/friends. The abuser achieves it by controlling their interactions.
Leashing physical violence intimidates the victim.
The abuser denies or minimizes the abuse. Some people may blame the victim for the abuse.

The psychological abuse can lead to victims considering themselves as the cause of the problem. In reality, their partner has the problem.

A person who experiences domestic violence needs support and understanding. After recognizing the situation, victims need to get expert help. find a personal injury attorney that is experienced to set up a consultation and deal with the problem better.

Assistance Of Family Lawyer in Domestic Violence Cases

How can legal guidance help you in domestic violence cases? Intimate partner violence can shake you to the core. It may cause uncertainty when deciding on the next best step. A family lawyer can offer guidance in such a situation. They can assist in the following methods:

Can Offer Emotional and Legal Support

Your family lawyer can offer assistance in determining how you can move forward. The legal expert may talk to the advisory groups on the victim’s behalf. It can help the victim get links to the organization that may provide financial assistance, emergency housing, and relocation. The main concern remains on making the victim safe. It prevents them going back to the dangerous situation they lived in before.

May Help Taking Out Non-Molestation Orders

The non-molestation order refers to the injunction order protecting abuse victims and their children from domestic violence. The non-molestation order may prevent the abuser from mentally or physically abusing the victims and their children.

A non-molestation order may also prove effective when you need to share the accommodation with your abuser. The legal expert can get the civil order from the county/family court. Breaching the non-molestation order by the abuser may lead to a prison sentence.

Can Assist In Taking A TRO (Temporary Restraining Order)

The increasing number of domestic violence cases has concerned the police and courts. So, domestic violence victims can now file a charge against the abuser in court. Your family lawyer can file a TRO. A temporary order of protection or temporary restraining order (TRO) against the abuser may prevent the alleged abuser from coming in physical contact with the victim. It can prevent the abuser from accessing the shared residence with the victim.

May Help Get Occupation Orders

In some domestic violence cases, the victim and the abuser may share the same house. It can occur due to several reasons. Either the victim tries to resolve the issue, or the victim has nowhere else to stay. If those attempts fail to work, the legal expert can take an occupation order. This order prevents the abuser from accessing the property. But, they may have to pay the rent or mortgage while not staying at the address.

Both accuser and victim can take out occupation order. When it happens, it can become complicated and problematic. Since occupation order comes under the civil order category, breaking this order may not result in jail time. Hence, it cannot guarantee the safety of the victim. However, if the victim feels the situation has become dangerous, they can notify the family lawyer. Your lawyer can take steps to get you the necessary help immediately.

May Aid Access Victim Compensation

When you suffer from domestic violence, it can affect your mental health. It can lead to placing tremendous stress. It will result in the affected person suffering from anxiety and depression. The victim or their loved ones tend to worry about paying bills linked to getting the following services:

Medical assistance
Lost income
Counseling services
Funeral/burial of the victim

In the US, every state has a crime victim compensation program. With guidance from the family lawyer, you can receive funds under the VOCA (Victim of Crime Act). The VOCA may offer financial help to domestic violence victims and their families. The compensation funds of crime victims may get money from the government funds. The money collected from the fees, fines, and penalties from perpetrators and criminals can also go into the fund.

Conclusion

Suffering from abuse can make you feel vulnerable, afraid, and frustrated. It may have a lasting impact on your physical and mental well-being. You may not know the best step to take that will help you overcome the problem. A family lawyer with experience can help you break the cycle of domestic abuse. The legal expert may also aid in protecting the financial assets of the victim of domestic violence.

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